Man Utd takeover latest: Sheikh Jassim’s ‘doubts’ as Jim Ratcliffe makes ‘good bid’ admission

Manchester United remain in the eye of a takeover storm as pre-season begins to unfold.

What many hoped would be a quick and easy takeover has turned into anything but, with talks still ongoing between the Glazers’ representatives and the two favourites, Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim. Despite plenty of reports, we are no closer to knowing which one of the bidders will come out on top, and United fans already know a takeover is not likely ahead of the new season, even if we do discover who will be the next owner by then.

As the drama continues to unfold, we have rounded up all the latest news surrounding the possible takeover at Old trafford.

Jassim’s advantage

Sheikh Jassim may have a specific advantage in the race to buy United after his latest bid.

According to The Athletic, the latest bid puts Jassim ahead of Ratcliffe, but it’s not just the value of the bid. It’s claimed Jassim’s plan to take 100% of control will hand the Glazers money in their pocket quicker than Ratcliffe’s bid to buy a stake with the club. That could make the offer more tempting for the Glazers, although they may not be in a rush for the money, given their huge wealth.

Naturally, with the Ratcliffe bid, while they may not get money up front as quickly, they would continue to profit from the shares they still own.

Qatari doubts

In a fresh twist, The Guardian claim that Jassim’s group ’are not altogether confident’ that the Glazers actually want to sell.

Jassim’s group are still waiting for the Raine Group - the entity managing the takeover on behalf of the Glazers - to respond to their fifth bid. In the meantime, it seems the Qataris may be having doubts over whether United will even be sold, or at least in its entirety.

That’s an interesting display of reduced confidence from Jassim’s group after weeks of reports displaying nothing but the utmost confidence from Qatar.

Ratcliffe’s verdict

Ratcliffe believes his INEOS group remain in the race to win the takeover bid at Old Trafford.

He said recently: “We have a good offer and we have met with the Glazers a couple of times. We have had good discussions with them. We would still very much like to do it. And we would be doing it for the right reasons. But in the end it is their decision not our decision.”

Ratcliffe is hoping the Glazers will prefer to keep a small stake in the club by accepting his offer.